TAOSHOBUDDHA
Lemon though a very common citrus fruit it has many uses. And many of these uses are health related. After salt and pepper, lemon is the most commonly used flavoring ingredient in the culinary arts. Used in everything from baking to sauce making to meat and vegetable cookery, lemons bring their own tangy flavor and bright aroma, while actually enhancing a dish's other
flavors. Lemon is said to be a ‘flavor catalyst,’ meaning that it interacts with the taste buds so that the flavors that follow are more pronounced.
Lemon Varieties: The most common lemon variety is the Eureka lemon. Its slightly smaller, smoother cousin, called the Lisbon, is more likely to be available in the winter. Flavor wise, there is not much difference between the two. Another variety, called the Meyer lemon, is quite small and significantly sweeter than the ordinary lemon varieties. In addition to being smaller, the Meyer lemon is also more fragile, making it unsuitable for large-scale commercial distribution. They tend to be found at farmers’ markets — and in people’s yards.
Storing Lemons: Lemons will keep for several days at room temperature, and interestingly, a room temperature lemon will yield more juice than one that is cold. However, lemons left at room temperature for too long are susceptible to mold. The best way to store lemons is in the refrigerator, either in one of the crisper drawers or in a plastic bag. While the fruits themselves do not do well when frozen, the lemon peel can be removed and frozen, then used later in recipes that call for lemon zest.
Squeezing Lemons: The average lemon contains three tablespoons of juice. To get the maximum amount of juice, roll a room - temperature lemon on the counter before cutting it open. Applying light pressure with your hand as you roll it. This bursts the tiny juice - filled cells in the lemon’s flesh, allowing more of the juice to be extracted. Zest is the shiny, yellow outermost layer of the peel, which contains powerful flavor compounds. The white part of the peel just beneath the zest is quite bitter and should not be used.
Cooking with Lemons: Lemons are highly acidic, and this acid will react with different foods in different ways.
For example, the acid will help dissolve connective tissues in meat, which is why lemon juice is commonly used in marinades. It helps tenderize tougher cuts of meat. But be careful not to overdo it as too much acid, or marinating for too long, can have the opposite effect, causing the muscle fibers to get tougher. The acid in lemon juice can also curdle milk, and while it can cause green vegetables to turn a drab olive color, it will help vegetables such as potatoes and turnips maintain their white color.
Therapeutic uses: Digestion Lemon stimulates liver and helps in digestive process. For this mix lemon juice in water and take every morning to help in digestive process.
Nose Bleeds A cotton swab or a soft cloth soaked in lemon juice when applied to a bleeding nose helps to slow and eventually stop the bleeding of the nose.
Diuretic If you are suffering from urinary tract infection or need to lessen the fluids in the body for a number of health reasons, such as blood pressure, enlarged heart etc lemon is a natural diuretic. It helps to shed unwanted water.
Antiseptic The acidic lemon juice destroys harmful bacteria, which makes lemon a natural antiseptic you can apply to small cuts, inflamed area and other infections. Again, this one might sting a little. Lemons are not to use for major infections or larger cuts, not because lemon would be dangerous, but because you need real medical attention.
Facial Cleanser Lemon juice helps to fight wrinkles, acnes, blackheads and even freckles. Apply the juice directly to your skin. And after applying allow it to dry. Remove the juice with a little olive juice mixed with water.
Mouth Care Swab a little lemon juice over bleeding gums to stave off further blood. Lemon gives your mouth a refreshing feeling. It helps to fight bacteria and gives you even fresh breath. And when applied to toothache lemon juice helps to dull the pain.
Reducing Fever There are two ways to use lemon juice to reduce the fever. Firstly, you can take lemon juice orally mixed with water sipping at regular intervals. The other way is even better. This requires making a lemon balm and then applying it to the body, mainly around the forehead. A lemon balm is a concentrated form of lemon as this helps to the body to perspire and in the process fever and any other fever related illness is sweat out.
Blood Pressure Because of the high level of potassium in lemons the fruit helps in keeping blood pressure lower. The potassium counter acts sodium which is the cause of BP.
Depression Drinking lemon juice mixed with water a few times for the day helps to reduce the depression.
Antioxidant All that vitamin C in lemons does something wondrous including blood cleansing and also building a stronger immune system. Also vitamin C helps to fight many serious illnesses like cancer and heart diseases as well.